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Australian batsmen stamp authority on fourth Test

Australian batsmen amassed a huge total on day two of the SCG Test

But this series has shown Clarke's comment was not merely that of a captain wanting to support his troops. The depth may not be there as it was in the 1990s and early 2000s, but the national selectors are steadily building a pool of batting talent to take Australia into the future.

Not since Bill Lawry, Doug Walters and Ian Chappell hammered Garry Sobers' West Indies in 1968-69 has Australia posted four consecutive first-innings totals in excess of 500. When Joe Burns scored his maiden Test half-century on Wednesday, Australia's top six had all passed 50 for the first time in the country's history.

And this is a side missing Clarke, who had been Australia's most bankable batsman until David Warner and Steve Smith proved their credentials as world-class batsmen last year. As emphatic as Australia's victory was over England last summer, the batting was shaky, reliant on a string of rearguard efforts from Brad Haddin at seven. It led Darren Lehmann to demand more first-innings runs from his top order, a plea echoed by Steve Smith this week.

"I think we've relied a lot on the tail the last couple of Test matches and I said the batters had to step up," Smith said.

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"The whole top six got above 50 which I don't think has ever happened before ... that's outstanding for us."

Four of Australia's current top six, plus Clarke, are averaging 50-plus this series but that is not to say the batting is the finished article - far from it. Over the next 12 months selectors will be on the hunt for an opener to replace Chris Rogers, who has set the Ashes as his finale, and possibly a new No.3 if they decide Shane Watson is better placed lower down the order.

Watson's latest innings is unlikely to win him any new admirers despite the physical duress he encountered leading into the Test and the role it played in setting up Australia's giant first innings. His critics will merely see it as another century gone begging though a score of 81 is hardly a sackable offence. Watson has been guilty in the past of making breezy 30s, 40s and 50s, but this effort was a case of mind over matter. Seldom during his 4¼-hour stay did Watson look comfortable, his lack of fluency borne out by just seven boundaries.

Four overs into the day, he was struck on the helmet by Mohammed Shami though curiously it was another hour before the bowler was given another crack at Watson. Ironically, Watson struck few balls sweeter than the pull shot that brought his downfall.

Shaun Marsh, another player who has been accused of not playing to his potential, delivered another productive innings.

The bar has been set high for Marsh, probably unattainably high given he was once described by former South Africa and Australia coach Mickey Arthur as the most talented batsman he had coached along with A.B. de Villiers. Marsh, who was given a life on nine, was strong square of the wicket, like many who grow up playing on the WACA, but the highlight was an on-drive to a ball pitched on off stump.

It remains too early to decide if Burns is a long-term Test prospect but his half-century means he will be given more opportunities. The second-gamer struck 10 boundaries in his 58, though found rotating the strike difficult at times. He needed 18 balls to get off the mark and was stuck on 30 for 22 balls, which will be noted by opposition analysts. It did not matter with Australia well past 400 when he arrived at the wicket, though his batting partners will not appreciate the extra pressure on their shoulders if this becomes a habit.

If Mitchell Marsh and Clarke overcome their injury problems, Burns may prove the heartbreak story for the Ashes. It has been a while since selectors have had such a dilemma with their batsmen.

Poll

What will be the result of the fourth Test between Australia and India at the SCG?

Australia win58%

India win13%

Draw29%

Total votes: 9683

Poll closed 10 Jan, 2015

Disclaimer: These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinion only of visitors who have chosen to participate.